IN PICTURES: Where Tony Abbott's colleagues stand on his leadership

Prime Minister Tony Abbott is facing the loss of the Liberal party leadership after West Australian backbencher Luke Simpkins called for a spill next Tuesday, since brought forward to 9am tomorrow. Mr Abbott said he would seek to defeat the motion at the meeting, and said his deputy Julie Bishop would stand by him. So far the cabinet has closed ranks around Mr Abbott in the face of backbench revolt. Click through our gallery to see where the members of government stand on this crucial issue ahead of tomorrow's pivotal meeting.

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Prime Minister Tony Abbott is facing the loss of the Liberal party leadership after West Australian backbencher Luke Simpkins called for a spill next Tuesday, since brought forward to 9am today. Mr Abbott said he would seek to defeat the motion at the meeting, and said his deputy Julie Bishop would stand by him. So far the cabinet has closed ranks around Mr Abbott in the face of backbench revolt. Click through our gallery to see where the members of government stand on this crucial issue ahead of tomorrow's pivotal meeting.

Foreign Minister and deputy Liberal leader Ms Bishop has issued a statement saying she will stand against the spill motion in the interests of cabinet unity. However, she has not committed to running on a unity ticket with Mr Abbott should the spill go ahead.

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Foreign Minister and deputy Liberal leader Ms Bishop has issued a statement saying she will stand against the spill motion in the interests of cabinet unity. However, she has not committed to running on a unity ticket with Mr Abbott should the spill go ahead.

Attribution: AAP

Malcolm Turnbull, the most likely challenger to Mr Abbott should the spill succeed, has said he supports the prime minister. He has not committed publicly to running for the leadership, but suggested today he would. "If for whatever reason the leadership of a political party is vacant then any member of the party can stand, whether they be a minister or a backbencher, without any disloyalty to the person whose leadership has been declared vacant," he said. He described the decision to move the vote forward as a "captain's call" by Mr Abbott.

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Malcolm Turnbull, the most likely challenger to Mr Abbott should the spill succeed, has said he supports the prime minister. He has not committed publicly to running for the leadership, but suggested today he would. "If for whatever reason the leadership of a political party is vacant then any member of the party can stand, whether they be a minister or a backbencher, without any disloyalty to the person whose leadership has been declared vacant," he said. He described the decision to move the vote forward as a "captain's call" by Mr Abbott.

Nationals leader and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said the disruption of a leadership change would not be good for the government, but admitted the spill motion was a “turning point” for Mr Abbott.

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Nationals leader and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said the disruption of a leadership change would not be good for the government, but admitted the spill motion was a “turning point” for Mr Abbott.

Attribution: AAP

Treasurer Joe Hockey has said Mr Abbott and Ms Bishop have his “unqualified” support and called for an end to the “gossip” surrounding the leadership debate. However, he admitted some people had “understandable grievances”.

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Treasurer Joe Hockey has said Mr Abbott and Ms Bishop have his “unqualified” support and called for an end to the “gossip” surrounding the leadership debate. However, he admitted some people had “understandable grievances”.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said he also supported the current leadership and backed the decision to bring the vote forward. "It's inconceivable that it would be in the best interests of either the Liberal Party or the country for the Prime Minister to go into the Parliament tomorrow with this issue unresolved," he said.

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Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said he also supported the current leadership and backed the decision to bring the vote forward. "It's inconceivable that it would be in the best interests of either the Liberal Party or the country for the Prime Minister to go into the Parliament tomorrow with this issue unresolved," he said.

Attribution: AAP

Social Services Minister Scott Morrison has not spoken out on his stance on the spill motion, but has reportedly said he will not seek to run as leader or deputy should the motion be successful.

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Social Services Minister Scott Morrison has not spoken out on his stance on the spill motion, but has reportedly said he will not seek to run as leader or deputy should the motion be successful.

Attribution: AAP

Senior party member Arthur Sinodinos has announced he will be supporting a spill. "I will vote for a spill as that will help precipitate a discussion," he said.

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Senior party member Arthur Sinodinos has announced he will be supporting a spill. "I will vote for a spill as that will help precipitate a discussion," he said.

Attribution: AAP

Queensland MP Teresa Gambaro has slammed Mr Abbott's leadership and will vote for a spill. "We cannot govern ourselves in an internal climate of fear and intimidation. And that is the unacceptable situation we have endured for the past five years," she said.

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Queensland MP Teresa Gambaro has slammed Mr Abbott's leadership and will vote for a spill. "We cannot govern ourselves in an internal climate of fear and intimidation. And that is the unacceptable situation we have endured for the past five years," she said.

Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg: “There is strong support for the Prime Minister, for his deputy leader and also for the path they are taking us down.”

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Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg: “There is strong support for the Prime Minister, for his deputy leader and also for the path they are taking us down.”

Attribution: AAP

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton joined his cabinet colleagues in opposing the leadership spill. He said Mr Abbott had been “gutsy” to admit he needed to listen more to his colleagues and to the electorate.

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Immigration Minister Peter Dutton joined his cabinet colleagues in opposing the leadership spill. He said Mr Abbott had been “gutsy” to admit he needed to listen more to his colleagues and to the electorate.

Attribution: (AAP Image/Penny Bradfield)

Despite a gaffe stating his support for Mr Abbott and “deputy” Julia Gillard, Defence Minister Kevin Andrews also said he would vote against the spill motion in the interests of stability.

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Despite a gaffe stating his support for Mr Abbott and “deputy” Julia Gillard, Defence Minister Kevin Andrews also said he would vote against the spill motion in the interests of stability.

Attribution: (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

Nationals MP and Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce has said the Coalition could dissolve if Mr Abbott is deposed, with the Nationals splitting from the Liberals.

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Nationals MP and Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce has said the Coalition could dissolve if Mr Abbott is deposed, with the Nationals splitting from the Liberals.

Attribution: AAP

Trade Minister Andrew Robb has backed Mr Abbott and says the leadership spill was an "ambush".

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Trade Minister Andrew Robb has backed Mr Abbott and says the leadership spill was an "ambush".

Victorian backbencher Sharman Stone will also vote for a spill of the leadership.

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Victorian backbencher Sharman Stone will also vote for a spill of the leadership.

Liberal backbencher Luke Simpkins was the MP who called for the leadership spill. He said people were not “listening” to Mr Abbott, rendering the Prime Minister’s leadership ineffective. He also accused Mr Abbott of not communicating a plan for the future.

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Liberal backbencher Luke Simpkins was the MP who called for the leadership spill. He said people were not “listening” to Mr Abbott, rendering the Prime Minister’s leadership ineffective. He also accused Mr Abbott of not communicating a plan for the future.

Attribution: AAP

The motion was supported by Liberal backbencher Don Randall, who will second it at next tomorrow’s meeting.

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The motion was supported by Liberal backbencher Don Randall, who will second it at next tomorrow’s meeting.

Attribution: AAP

However, both were opposed by fellow Liberal backbencher Andrew Nikolic,who fired off a scathing email to Mr Simpkins, calling his actions “disappointing and divisive”.

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However, both were opposed by fellow Liberal backbencher Andrew Nikolic,who fired off a scathing email to Mr Simpkins, calling his actions “disappointing and divisive”.

Attribution: AAP

Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister Christian Porter has reportedly called Mr Simpkins and Mr Randall and asked them to call off the spill.

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Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister Christian Porter has reportedly called Mr Simpkins and Mr Randall and asked them to call off the spill.